THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
You proclaimed, "With numerous chariots, I ascended to the peaks of the mountains, even to the furthest reaches of Lebanon, and cultivated the heights of the cedar and the abundance of the cypress, and I ventured into the lofty regions of the oak." I established pathways and drained the waters, including the entire gathering of waters. This reflects the prideful arrogance and foolish boastfulness of Persian haughtiness. As previously indicated, he draws a parallel between the land of the Jews, possibly Samaria—which was populated by ten tribes—and Lebanon, a renowned and affluent mountain in Phoenicia celebrated for its towering cedar trees. The land of Judah, high and elevated because God aided it, is thickly forested, as its inhabitants are as numerous as the trees.
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However, the Assyrian oppressors captured Samaria and ravaged many Jewish towns. Therefore, he declares, "O Assyrian, whose thoughts are filled with pride, attributing military successes to your own might, you said, 'With many chariots, I ascended to the peaks of the mountains and to the furthest part of Lebanon,'" meaning you invaded the very kingdom of Israel and cultivated its cedar heights. Who is Lebanon? It represents Judah. The height of the cedar symbolizes their sovereignty. "I descended into the heights of the oak," as many cities of Judah along with the land of the Samaritans faced destruction. Furthermore, you proclaimed, "I will dismantle the bridges and drain the waters, including the entire gathering of waters." The Persians and Assyrians, convinced of their own strength enabling them to achieve all, constructed bridges over rivers during their campaigns against various lands, and their multitude allowed them to act as if they could drain springs and pools, with rivers often insufficient for their thirsting men and horses. Historical Greek writers have chronicled the memory of the Persian conquests, noting they built a bridge over the Hellespont; and if they encountered a river during their march through a land or a city, the tyrant commanded, "Let it be consumed." Thus, the Almighty remembered the arrogance of the Persians and admonished those accustomed to their own grandeur. He demonstrated that their accomplishments, which they deemed impressive, were ultimately not of their own doing; rather, His judgment upon the sinful granted them the illusion of being capable of achieving such feats.